Denon AVR-S960H vs Pioneer VSX-532

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-S960H vs VSX-532 comparison chart

Denon AVR-S960H vs Pioneer VSX-532 review

Denon AVR-S960H
vs
Pioneer VSX-532

The Denon AVR-S960H versus Pioneer VSX-532 comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S960H received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-532 was rated 4.3 points. The release date of AVR-S960H is 2020, and VSX-532 is 2017. Identified advantages have shown that AVR-S960H is better over VSX-532 mainly as a home theater processor.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S960H over Pioneer VSX-532

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 90/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 80/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, AVR-S960H bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-532 over Denon AVR-S960H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-S960H
7
VSX-532
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-S960H supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-532 supports a 5.1-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the AVR-S960H this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-532 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
Channels7.25.1
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm90/8, 125/680/8, 150/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S960H 6 out of 10, and the VSX-532 - 7.

AVR-S960H
6
VSX-532
7

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible on the VSX-532.

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/A192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S960H scored 10, and Pioneer VSX-532 scored 6 out of 10.

AVR-S960H
10
VSX-532
6

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the AVR-S960H only.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Denon AVR-S960H.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn Radiohas not

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Denon AVR-S960H got 8 points, but Pioneer VSX-532 received 5 points.

AVR-S960H
8
VSX-532
5

Denon AVR-S960H is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-532 has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Denon AVR-S960H.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Denon AVR-S960H in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-532 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-S960H has a Phono interface.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
HDMI input/output6/24/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)21
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/20/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, phones, setup mic
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the AVR-S960H were rated 8 out of 10 against the 5 for the VSX-532.

AVR-S960H
8
VSX-532
5

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The AVR-S960H works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the VSX-532 has the 4K/60Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available only on Denon AVR-S960H.

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Denon AVR-S960H.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S960H got 10 points, but the VSX-532 has 5.

AVR-S960H
10
VSX-532
5

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The AVR-S960H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP Control, Web Control, RS-232 Control, App Controlhas not

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
Multi-room zones2has not
Zone audio outputspeakerhas not
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remotehas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-S960H got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-532 got 5.

AVR-S960H
7
VSX-532
5

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Denon AVR-S960H can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the AVR-S960H.

AVR-S960H VSX-532
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS 96/24, DTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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